Civil Rights Fighting For Equality Mrs. Bryant’s 5th Grade Georgia Standards WJES 1

Georgia Standards SS5H8b Explain the key events and people of the Civil Rights movement including the Brown v. Board of Education 1954, Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, and Civil rights activities of Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. 2

Fighting For Equality The Civil Rights Movement changed America during the 20th century. It resulted in laws that guaranteed constitutional rights to all citizens regardless of race. The struggle for civil rights came after years of discrimination and segregation (separation). Segregation was a system of laws used by whites to control African Americans and keep the two groups separated. 3

SegregAtion Until the 1960s, many states had separate facilities for African Americans and whites. Signs that read “Whites Only” or “Colored Only” could be found in restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, restrooms, and even near drinking fountains. (Students, this to me, was a very sad time in our country’s history) 4

Segregation in School Segregation in School? No More! Schools were another place where blacks and whites were separated. In Topeka, Kansas, a black third-grader named Linda Brown had to walk one mile through a railroad switchyard to get to her black elementary school. 5

Thurgood marshall & Brown v. Board of Education There was a white elementary school a lot closer to Linda Brown’s home. Her father tried to enroll her there, but the school principal refused. The case went to court. Linda Brown’s lawyer was Thurgood Marshall. He argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that having separate schools violated the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The Supreme Court agreed with him! In 1954 they ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that students could no longer be segregated. This decision was a big step toward integration. 6

Thurgood Marshall Thurgood Marshall Linda Brown’s lawyer in the case Brown v. Board Of Education – Argued that having Separate schools violated The 14th Amendment 7

Linda Brown Linda Brown In Topeka, Kansas, an African American third grader walked one mile through a railroad switchyard to get to a black elementary school. Wanted to go to a white elementary school closer to her home. Brown v. Board of Education 8

Let’s Take the Bus In 1955 an African American woman named Rosa Parks took a very brave step toward integration and civil rights. After a long day at work, she took a seat in the black section of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. When all the “whites only” seats were filled up, Rosa was told to give up her seat to a white man. She refused, and was arrested. 9

The Montgomery Bus Boycott Martin Luther King, Jr. led a nonviolent protest against what had happened to Rosa Parks. He urged blacks to boycott the buses. The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for about one year, and cost the bus company a lot of money. They finally agreed to integrate the buses after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed the segregation of all public transportation in the city!

March on Washington Blacks and whites both called on President Kennedy and Congress to make a law that would guarantee equal rights and quality education for African Americans. In 1963 more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to get Congress’ attention! The March on Washington sent a clear message to Congress to vote ‘yes’ on civil rights legislation.

“I have a dream…” Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a famous speech at the gathering. It is known as the “I Have a Dream” speech. King said that he dreamed of a world where black children and white children could play together in peace. The march made an impact on America partly due to its peaceful methods. King always urged people to protest unfair laws without violence.

Civil Rights Act 1964 It’s the law! The Civil Rights Movement finally led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. The act prohibited discrimination based on color, race, or religion in places like restaurants, hotels, motels, and theaters. The law enforced desegregation of schools by saying that no federal money would be given to segregated schools. The Civil Rights Act also said that people of all races, male or female, should have equal chances to get a job.

Voting rights act 1965 There were still other problems in the South. The 15th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution had given African American men and women the right to vote. Yet many states still used reading tests (known as “literacy tests”) to keep them from voting. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 put a stop to that by banning all literacy tests!

Hard to Believe But True The Voting Rights Act made a difference! Let’s use Mississippi as an example. In 1960 only 5% of eligible African Americans were registered to vote in the state. In 1968 after the Voting Rights Act, nearly 60% of eligible African Americans were registered!

Enduring understandings Beliefs and Ideals The beliefs and ideals of a society influence the social, political, and economic decisions of that society. In what ways did the Civil Rights movement change the lives of Americans? How was the Civil Rights movement influenced by people’s beliefs and ideals?

Enduring understandings Conflict and Change When there is conflict between or within societies, change is the result. How did the conflict of the Montgomery Bus Boycott create change? How did the March on Washington create positive changes in America?

Enduring understandings Individuals, Groups, Institutions The actions of individuals, groups, and/or institutions affect society through intended and unintended consequences. How did Thurgood Marshall help create change for African Americans in his position as a member of the United States Supreme Court? Why would others be affected by Rosa Parks’ actions during the Civil Rights movement? How did Martin Luther King, Jr. influence others by his actions?